In the pub that I occasionally have a beer or two with my best friend, he and I end up on the topic of time; specifically how much time has passed since we were teenagers puttering around in his first car, a 1987 Toyota Supra with a leaky targa top. It was the car that I taught my best friend how to properly drive stick while in the middle of a snow storm, where I learned certain nuances about the MK3 Supra, and it was also the car that got me into automotive photography. With a hand-me-down Nikon D40 from my father, I became acquainted with proper photo composition and utilizing light (or lack thereof) to my advantage to get those money shots. Those moments as a teenager helped get me to this point more than a decade later, where I’m in a desolate parking lot shooting this 2026 BMW M340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition, discovering every nuance and tiny detail that differentiate it from a regular M340i.
What’s new for 2026?
Dubbed the G20 generation in BMW parlance, the M340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition marks 50 years of the 3 Series nameplate, putting perspective on how much time has passed and how much the 3 Series has evolved. To commemorate this achievement, BMW is offering a limited run of vehicles for 2026 with special paint options paying tribute to each generation of 3 Series. A total of six heritage colours are available, including Madeira Red that represents the first generation E21, Laguna Green for the E30, Avus Blue for the E36, Carbon Black for the E46, Deep Green for the E90, and Citrin Black for the F30 predecessors. Buyers can choose whichever colour speaks to them the most along with a handful of interior colourway options, all finished in Merino Leather. Our tester is finished in Avus Blue over Ivory, a very 1990s colour combo and also quick to get dirty if you wear the wrong pair of jeans.
Powertrain and performance
The 50 Jahre Edition isn’t a fundamentally different car from the regular M340i. BMW hasn’t reworked the drivetrain or chassis as it’s already an extremely competent compact sport sedan to begin with. Under the skin remains the familiar G20-generation M340i most enthusiasts already respect. Powered by the B58 3.0L turbocharged inline-six, it’s a powerhouse of a motor, producing 386 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque in this tune. It retains BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system with the ZF eight-speed automatic that has become the benchmark for this segment.
Aided by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, it contributes to a feeling of immediacy at low revs, making turbo-lag basically non-existent and making in-town drivability a breeze. The result is performance that feels familiar to the BMW faithful; muscular but civilized. The strong midrange shove, effortless long-gear acceleration and overall smoothness makes this particular powertrain so loved by many enthusiasts.
Interior impressions
Where a regular M340i is comfortably sporty, the 50 Jahre adds a layer of ceremony. The stitch patterns are unique to this special edition model, there are “50 Jahre Edition” badges on the door sills and on the cup holder compartment, and the Merino leather makes it all just a more special place to spend time. Practicality hasn’t been sacrificed; the sedan’s 481 litres of trunk space and ample rear-seat legroom remain unchanged. It’s usable for weekend trips and daily duties to your local Longo’s grocery store.
Drivers are welcomed with BMW’s current interior design language with the BMW Curved Display treatment, a singular glass housing that integrates both the 12.3-inch instrument cluster and 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Though it does away with many of the physical buttons, the set-up is clean, crisp, and is easy to get accustomed to after spending enough time with it. Similar to Mercedes-Benz, BMW also utilizes an AI assistant through voice commands to do tasks such as checking the current weather, telling you the tire pressures and temperatures of each wheel, and even decent dad jokes now. As gimmicky as it may seem on the surface, it becomes useful and I found myself using it more than I thought I would.
How does the M340i drive?
On the road, the underlying M340i chassis does the heavy lifting. The adaptive suspension and steering calibration offer a nice balance between agility and comfort thanks to the various drive modes. Though it lacks a lot of steering feel, it is still precise through turns and responsive without being too twitchy. The xDrive’s grip gives you confidence in any climate, made apparent by the early hits of winter here in Toronto. In short, drivers who love the M340i’s blend of performance and daily manners will find the 50 Jahre Edition equally as competent at being the de-facto Swiss army-knife of compact German sport-sedans.
Is the exclusivity worth it?
Exclusivity is the major selling point for the M340i 50 Jahre Edition, limited to just 100 units for the Canadian market. While most North-American bound M340i’s are built in Mexico, the 50 Jahre Edition is exclusively built in Germany, giving prospective buyers another point to brag about at the annual BMW True North meetup or local Cars & Coffee gathering in the summertime. This exclusivity to some people adds a more personal satisfaction to ownership compared to a regular M340i.
The base price for the 2026 BMW M340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition starts at a hefty $91,900. With the optional $2,000 Advanced Driver Assistance Package on our tester, that number bumps up to $93,900 before any fees and dealer mark-ups, which is awfully close to the base price of an M3. If you’re considering one, approach it like a Corvette buyer wearing New Balance sneakers. You’re paying for the story, unique details, and exclusivity.
As much as I love to rave about the M340i — or any B58-powered vehicle, for that matter — there are a few caveats to consider. Those who prize mechanical uniqueness will be disappointed that the 50 Jahre Edition doesn’t offer a unique driving experience compared to a regular M340i. Besides a mild power bump, there’s no six-speed manual, no weight reduction, or even a rear-wheel-drive only option that would make it appealing to traditional BMW purists. It’s essentially an appearance based tribute rather than a performance-oriented, exclusive collector’s car.
Final thoughts
Ultimately, the 2026 BMW M340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition offers a selling proposition for a particular buyer profile. It’s aimed at someone who values the narrative and origin story of the 3 Series, who enjoys the emotional lift of period-correct colour options, and who still wants a car that performs crisply and integrates into modern daily life without fuss. If you want the thrill of a beloved engine, excellent chassis manners, and a cabin that feels a little more ceremonious than usual, the 50 Jahre Edition is worth a look. If you demand mechanical exclusivity, this isn’t the model that will satisfy that appetite. But the M340i 50 Jahre Edition is a well-executed celebration for half a century of the 3 Series — one that wears its history with pride, and still behaves like a modern BMW sport-sedan when you ask it to.
